Bearcats battle Blue Devils to victory in Belk Bowl brawl

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 03:57:45 GMT —

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Brendon Kay threw for 332 yards and a Belk Bowl-record four touchdowns, and Cincinnati capitalized on Duke's inept play in the closing minutes to beat the Blue Devils 48-34 on Thursday night.

Duke appeared to have the game in hand and was driving for the go-ahead score - and its first bowl victory since 1961 - but the final 80 seconds proved disastrous. With the game tied at 34 and the Blue Devils positioning themselves for a winning field goal, running back Josh Snead fumbled at the Cincinnati 5-yard line with 1:20 left and Bearcats defensive lineman John Williams recovered.

Kay then connected with tight end Travis Kelce on an 83-yard touchdown strike down the middle with 44 seconds left for the go-ahead score.

Cincinnati (10-3) sealed it on the next series when Maalik Bomar came crashing into Duke quarterback Sean Renfree, forcing a deflection that Nick Temple returned 55 yards for a touchdown.

Renfree threw for 358 yards - another Belk Bowl record - for the Blue Devils (6-7).